Well this is fun! Here I am, almost 2 am. Visiting my parents for the week, and I’ve just discovered I have no toothbrush at my dads house. Have searched the whole building, and while I’ve found many loose(?) unpackaged(?) toothbrushes in junk drawers (why?), not a single new toothbrush to be found. As per my last post, romance is temporary, friendship is forever, but sometimes you care anyway for two years and counting. Do you think by year three of repeating this mantra, I’ll have finally internalized it? Not likely. More at 7. I guess the yearner in me is just too strong!
Number one thing I learned this year: how to have boundaries. Pretty novel concept for me, it turned out. Somehow, it was revolutionary to let myself say “no, not today” and know I was allowed. And here I was, lauding myself for being emotionally mature.
Also big: when there’s an awkward silence, an awkward moment, etc, it’s just as much on the other person to say something as it is on me. REVOLUTIONARY! You mean it’s not all on my shoulders to make sure everyone is entertained and happy and having fun? You mean an awkward silence is no more my failure than it is anyone else’s?
More than anything, I’ve learned that you should always pack a toothbrush. Even if you’re going home. Even if you’re sleeping in a house you’ve slept in since you were about 5 years old. Even if the poster from when you saw the nutcracker as an elementary schooler is still on the wall of the room you’re staying in. PACK A TOOTHBRUSH! Or at least check that you have one before everyone else goes to sleep. Goddamn.












